The Most Budget Friendly Stay in Seoul’s Shopping District

The streets of Myeongdong in Seoul are crowded with vendors hawking everything from souvenirs to fast fashion apparel, cosmetics and more and it can easily wear even the most avid shopper out walking up and down and across the numerous streets.

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Even people that reside in Seoul or in a suburb could take the opportunity to stay downtown for a night to get the full experience of Myeongdong from morning to night. That’s just what I did with my fam this past weekend. While Myeongdong is only a 20 minute drive from my house, we opted to stay in the budget friendlyibis Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong hotelin the heart of the shopping mecca for a night. We got there around noon and were able to check in early as we are Accor Hotel members. Usual check-in time is 2:00pm, but join the membership which is free and you have the option to check in two hours earlier than normal. (No, I am not a spokesperson for Accor, but the membership sells itself.)

We dropped our things off in one of the hotel’s 280 rooms and headed out for lunch and a dessert. If you want some delicious Korean food in a restaurant with 60 years of history, make sure to find Hadongkwan. We shopped a bit and just when we would probably normally have to head home for a little person’s nap time, we scooted back the 3 minute walk to our hotel room to lay the little one down. What a perk of having a room downtown! While she took a rest and my husband watched her, I was able to head out and check out a bit more of what’s hopping in Myeongdong including the Style Nanda Pink Hotel where I got a coffee with a “cloud”and met some friends that were in the area.

Theibis Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong hotel sits just meters from YG Republique, a cafe, pub and Korean BBQ restaurant for all of those K-pop lovers out there. It’s also near the Lotte Department Store and Lotte Young Plaza as well as other big name brand stores not to be missed. The location couldn’t be better. Inside, the hotel is suited up with a sauna, gym, business center and coin operated laundry. Parking is available and helpful staff on hand can answer questions in numerous languages. I heard Korean, English and Mandarin while I was checking in. This budget friendly room is simple and modern and has all of the amenities you would expect in a hotel. Free Wifi and a TV were available for anyone needing some downtime in the room. The bathroom was a simple shower stall and perfect for a jaunt into the city where most of the time would be spent outdoors anyway.

La Table, the restaurant on the top floor, serves meals throughout the day and offers great views of the surrounding area from its perch on the 19th floor. The breakfast buffet includes western staples like eggs, bacon and sausage along with Asian staples like miso soup, fried rice and rice porridge. Something for everyone.

Their dinner promotion right now is a steal with all you can drink beer.

If you want to get the most out of a meal in Myeongdong, the restaurant open to non-guests as well has food, drink and great views. It’s definitely a perfect spot to start a night out in the downtown area or to take a rest and eat something up after shopping.

We really enjoyed our time downtown this past weekend and LOVED that we could stay in such a budget friendly place. The ease it provided to be close to the action but also close to a bed for naps and rest was amazing.

6 Responses

This hotel from Seoul look very modern and I know what I am saying as a former architect. The interior design really follows the concept of less is more. I think you had a wonderful stay there and the photos are a proof that you enjoyed it as well.

Ibis is a great budget hotel chain. I love how they incorporate modern styles and clean/ minimalist decor at such pocket friendly prices. Def my top choice for budget accommodations anywhere in the world. Great piece

The Blogger

My name is Hallie Bradley and I am writer, photographer (most of the time), influencer and dreamer behind The Soul of Seoul. I originally hail from Dayton, Ohio, USA but have called Seoul, Korea my home since 2006. This site shares the sights, sounds and spaces that I have uncovered here in Korea as well as where my multicultural family travels. To learn more about me, click here. Have a question, comment or want to get in touch? Email me: admin@thesoulofseoul.net

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